NCAA rules on Oregon: No bowl ban, scholarship reduction, show-cause penalty for Chip Kelly
The NCAA has released its findings in their investigation into the Oregon football program and recruiter Willie Lyles, and the damage for the Ducks is relatively minor.
Most importantly, Oregon did not receive any sort of bowl ban, meaning one of the preseason favorites for the national championship will be allowed to compete in the postseason. There are minor scholarship reductions (one over each of the next two seasons), a reduction in the number of official visits allowed through 2015, probation through June 25, 2016 and a ban on using recruiting services. Considering some of the predictions of a mighty NCAA hammer falling on Eugene, Duck fans are pleased.
The NCAA also has issued an eighteen-month show-cause penalty on former Oregon head coach Chip Kelly, the who is now with the Philadelphia Eagles. This means that it would be difficult for another college program to hire Kelly until after December, 26, 2014, which I’m sure is really bothersome to Kelly and his $32.5 million NFL contract.
Kelly left the Ducks in January, and offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich was promoted as his replacement. If you would like to see the full report from the NCAA, it is available here.
You can hear Dan Patrick's take on the ruling below:
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